The Rumor

Getting back to the library was harder.

They were halfway down the C-wing when a flash went off.

"Gotcha!"

They spun around.

Standing there was Becky Thorne, the editor of the school newspaper and the unofficial gossip queen of Crestview High. She was holding her phone, grinning like a shark.

"Archer West and Penny Lane," Becky said, tapping her screen. "Hiding in the dark. Penny looking suspiciously... bulky."

Penny looked down. The baby carrier was still under her hoodie. Toby was asleep, thank god, but the bulge was undeniable.

"It's not what you think," Penny stammered.

"Oh, I think it is," Becky’s eyes widened. "The rumors about why you missed the debate trip last month... the baggy clothes... Archer breaking up with Tiffany..."

Becky gasped. "Is that a baby?"

Penny opened her mouth to deny it, to say it was a tumor, a pillow, anything.

"Yeah," Archer interrupted. He stepped closer to Penny, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "It is."

Penny stared at him. *What was he doing?*

"But if you post that picture, Becky," Archer said, his voice dropping to a cool, dangerous tone, "I'll tell everyone about that finsta account you use to troll the drama club."

Becky paled. "You know about that?"

"I know everything," Archer bluffed. "So here’s the deal. You can say we’re together. You can say we were sneaking around. But you keep the kid out of it. He’s sleeping."

Becky weighed her options. The scoop of the century vs. social suicide.

"Fine," Becky said. "But I'm posting that you guys are a couple. #Parcher."

She ran off, thumbs flying across her screen.

Penny turned to Archer. "What did you just do?"

"I bought us time," Archer said. "If she posted a picture of the baby, Grist would be here in ten seconds. If she posts a rumor that we’re dating, everyone just thinks we’re hooking up."

"But she thinks it's *our* baby!"

"Let her," Archer shrugged. He looked down at the lump under her hoodie. "He’s kind of cute. He has my eyes."

Penny punched him in the arm, but she wasn't mad. She was... grateful.

By the time they got back to the library supply closet, the rumor mill had churned. Phones were lighting up all over the school.

*OMFG Archer and Penny???*

*Secret baby???*

*I saw him rubbing her back!*

They settled back into the closet. It was 11:00 PM.

"You realize everyone thinks we're teen parents now," Penny whispered, arranging the diaper changing station.

"Could be worse," Archer sat on a stack of textbooks. "We could be dodgeball captains."

He watched her change Toby. He handed her the wipes without being asked.

"Why are you doing this?" Penny asked quietly. "Risking your reputation? The lock-in rules?"

Archer looked at her. In the dim light, his face was serious.

"Because you're the only person in this school who hasn't asked me for anything tonight," Archer said. "And... because seeing you handle all this? Alone? It makes me want to be on your team, Penny."

Penny felt a blush rising that had nothing to do with the heat of the closet.

"Team Parcher," she joked weakly.

"Team Parcher," he agreed.

\---